Pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer

ABSTRACT

A pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer having a U-shaped coupling rod pivotally and laterally disposed on a bottom support frame. An electric adjusting mechanism is interposed between the U-shaped coupling rod and the frame unit. The electric adjusting mechanism includes a motor, a guide spindle sleeve and a telescopic spindle. When the telescopic spindle is driven to be moved, it results in the adjustment of the relative angle of the U-shaped coupling rod, and wherein an L-shaped connecting rod is pivotally coupled to each top side of the U-shaped coupling rod while the end of the L-shaped connecting rod is pivotally attached to a treadle plank so that the vertical position of the treadle planks is adjustable by changing the angle of the U-shaped coupling rod and, therefore, the adjustment of the exercise pace is achieved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Fields of the Invention

The invention relates to a pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer, and more particularly, to a mechanism that can rapidly adjust the movement pace at will.

2. Description of the Related Art

The elliptical cross trainer is so used that the operator's feet can make an elliptical movement path, thereby simulating the real running and walking path. Moreover, the horizontal pace (simulating the movement on a flat ground) and the inclined pace (simulating the uphill and downhill movement) can be changed when the vertical position of the treadles of the elliptical cross trainer changes. This is the main intention of the invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,013 discloses such a mechanism that employs a plurality of selection holes in treadle planks. By selecting a desired hole in the treadle plank for connection, the coupling angle of the treadle plank can be changed to achieve the above-mentioned pace-adjusting effect.

In fact, the manual adjustment of the aforementioned prior art is not a practical solution. This is because the operator has to stop the exercise for adjustment of the movement pace, thereby reducing the desire of using the elliptical cross trainer. Meanwhile, this adjustment way must affect the exercise rhythm. Thus, it is hardly possible to use the pace-adjusting mechanism during the exercise sessions so that this kind of the pace-adjusting mechanism is not so practical and valuable as expected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the invention is to provide a pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer that employs an electric adjusting mechanism instead of a manual adjusting mechanism. In this way, the operator can easily perform a desired adjustment during the exercise session without stopping the exercise and affecting the movement rhythm. Accordingly, the pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer can be easily and practically used.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electric adjusting mechanism is employed to ensure a change of the supporting angle of a U-frame relative to a frame unit pivotally coupled thereto. Meanwhile, connecting rods are pivotally connected to treadle planks, respectively, thereby adjusting the position of the treadles and changing the movement pace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the adjustment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a frame unit 10 and an electric adjusting mechanism 30.

The frame unit 10 of the elliptical cross trainer has a bottom support frame 18 at the front end thereof and a flywheel transmission unit at the rear end thereof. The flywheel transmission unit is covered by a protection hood 11 so that it is hidden in the figures. The flywheel transmission unit works in cooperation with two treadle planks 12 on which a treadle 21 is disposed for taking a treading exercise. Two movable handle rods 15 are interposed between two upright posts and pivotally mounted on a first crossbar 14. The bottom of the movable handle rods 15 is pivotally attached to a connecting rod 16. The other end of the connecting rod 16 is pivotally connected to the front section of the treadle plank 12, thereby creating a coupling action. Moreover, the top of the frame unit 10 is provided with a fixed handle rod 17.

The electric adjusting mechanism 30 is installed at the bottom of a front side of the frame unit 10. The electric adjusting mechanism 30 includes a motor 31, a guide spindle sleeve 32, and a telescopic spindle 33. A U-shaped coupling rod 19 is pivotally and laterally disposed on the bottom support frame 18. The electric adjusting mechanism 30 is interposed between the U-shaped coupling rod 19 and the frame unit 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the guide spindle sleeve 32 is driven by the motor 31 to create a reciprocating in-place displacement of the telescopic spindle 33, it results in the adjustment of the relative angle of the U-shaped coupling rod 19. Besides, an L-shaped connecting rod 20 is pivotally coupled to each top side of the U-shaped coupling rod 19. The other end of the L-shaped connecting rod 20 is pivotally attached to the treadle plank 12. Therefore, the vertical position of the treadle planks 12 is adjustable by changing the angle of the U-shaped coupling rod 19. In this way, the adjustment of the exercise pace is achieved.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electric adjusting mechanism 30 can be alternatively installed at the middle section of the frame unit 10. In this way, a direct connection to the top of the U-shaped coupling rod 19 is ensured to achieve the same effect. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, an assembly allowance (or assembly gap) is existing when a pivoting element or a sliding element is installed. Therefore, the vibration is created between the pivoting and the sliding elements. In order to efficiently avoid the vibration, a telescopic support element 21 is interposed between the treadle plank 13 and the U-shaped coupling rod 19 for constantly support the U-shaped coupling rod 19 in place and protecting from vibration. The telescopic support element 21 can be a spring hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or the like.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claim. 

1. A pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer, comprising a U-shaped coupling rod pivotally and laterally disposed on a bottom support frame, an electric adjusting mechanism being interposed between the U-shaped coupling rod and the frame unit, the electric adjusting mechanism having a motor, a guide spindle sleeve and a telescopic spindle, wherein, when the telescopic spindle is driven to be moved, it results in the adjustment of the relative angle of the U-shaped coupling rod, and wherein an L-shaped connecting rod is pivotally coupled to each top side of the U-shaped coupling rod while the end of the L-shaped connecting rod is pivotally attached to a treadle plank so that the vertical position of the treadle planks is adjustable by changing the angle of the U-shaped coupling rod and, therefore, the adjustment of the exercise pace is achieved.
 2. The pace-adjusting mechanism of an elliptical cross trainer as claimed in claim 1 wherein a telescopic support element is interposed between the treadle plank and the U-shaped coupling rod. 